LATITUD 32°N/55°S

ARTIST TALK: PERFORMANCE ART IN LATIN AMERICA

Latitud (φ). In English Latitude (in German “geographische Breite”) is a geographical coordinate that specifies the North-South position of a point on the Earth’s surface. The latitude points 32°43’06”N (North) and 55°58’44”S (South) refer to the highest (“northest”) part of Mexico to the lowest (“southest”) part of Chile, which means from Bravo River to Cape Horn.

Contemporary Performance Art in Latin America (Arte Acción or Action Art, as it is referred more commonly to) is typified by each of its country’s idiosyncrasies, which within the context of a globalised social understanding, passes unnoticed. Historical narratives such as Colonialism, Dictatorship and Neo-Liberal economics, deeply influenced the development of Action Art, which evolved as a form of resistance. Action Art’s origins can be traced back to the 1960’s Non-Objectual art movement, which still influences contemporary generations of Action artists.

Following site-specific performances across Berlin (May 6th) and indoor actions at the MPA-B’s central HUB (May 7th) the LATITUD 32°N/55°S artists will talk to audiences about contemporary performance art practices in their countries and their experiences of performing in the German capital.

Latitud 32°N/55°S explores notions, stereotypes and characteristics of “Latinness” and “Latin American Art”. Over the course of three days, Latitud 32°N/55°S will present the work of 11 performance artists who through site-specific performances, indoor actions and lectures expose the problem of setting standard definitions of art, art practice and context, according to the artists’ geographical and/or ethnic origin.